Quiet motor control system

ABSTRACT

A quiet motor control system is described. This system digitally determines modulated voltages applied to motor phases in a manner that compensates for winding torque distortions, which reduces acoustic emissions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to jointly owned U.S.Provisional Application corresponding to application number 61/171,695entitled “Power Control System for Driving a 3 Phase Motor.” Thisprovisional application was filed on Apr. 22, 2010.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

With the evolution of electronic devices, there is a continual demandfor enhanced speed, capacity and efficiency in various areas includingelectronic data storage. Motivators for this evolution may be theincreasing interest in video (e.g., movies, family videos), audio (e.g.,songs, books), and images (e.g., pictures). Hard disk drives haveemerged as one viable solution for supplying high capacity storage byeffectively reading and writing data from an associated magnetic media.As the densities of magnetic media increases, writing and reading dataeffectively becomes pivotal, which means that effective operation of themotors that send the magnetic disks becomes increasingly important.Consequently, there remain unmet needs relating to control systems formotors within data storage devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The quiet motor control system may be better understood with referenceto the following figures. The components within the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts or blocksthroughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an environmental drawing illustrating environments that mayutilize the quiet motor control system (QMCS).

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating components within a hard diskdrive that includes the QMCS.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the QMCS associated with a motor, such asthe motor of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram 300 of a first implementation of the QMCS.

FIG. 3B is a graphical representation of an implementation of thetransform blocks of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a graphical representation illustrating the effectiveness ofthe QMCS.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating the transform from a programmedIcmd to the resulting current in the motor (Imtr) in a system that isimplementing the QMCS.

FIG. 4B is a flow chart illustrating blocks in a device-implementedmethod for the QMCS.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an alternative implementation of the QMCS.

While the quiet motor control system is susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and subsequently are describedin detail. It should be understood, however, that the description hereinof specific embodiments is not intended to limit the quiet motor controlsystem to the particular forms disclosed. In contrast, the intention isto cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the quiet motor control system as defined bythis document.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As used in the specification and the appended claim(s), the singularforms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, “optional” or “optionally” meansthat the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may notoccur, and that the description includes instances where the event orcircumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

FIG. 1 is an environmental drawing 100 illustrating a few environmentsthat may utilize the quiet motor control system (QMCS) 110. This systemdigitally determines modulated voltages applied to motor phases in amanner that compensates for winding torque distortions, which reducesacoustic emissions. By reducing acoustic emissions, or noise, the QMCS110 may be used in a host of minimal noise environments. For example, anelectric fan 120, such as a house fan, may include the QMCS 110.Similarly, a cordless drill 130 and a computer system 140 may alsoinclude this system. In fact, the computer system 140 may include a harddisk drive 142, fan 144, and data storage drive 146, such as a DVDdrive, CD drive, or the like. The QMCS 110 may be included either one ormore of the hard disk drive 142, fan 144, and data storage drive 146.Similarly, this system may be included within a laptop 148 or a set topbox 150. Within the set top box 150 the QMCS 110 may be associated witheither a hard disk drive 152 or a fan 154. The element 160 may alsoinclude the QMCS 110; this element represents any environment that has arotating machine. Examples of the element 160 may include a camcorder,automobile's navigation system, and the like.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating components within a hard diskdrive 200 that includes a QMCS 110. This hard disk drive has a head diskassembly 210 that has magnetic platters 212 for storing data within thehard disk drive 200. A spindle motor 213 rotates the platters, whichfacilitates the writing and reading of data. The hard disk drive 200also includes a printed circuit board 220. On this board, there may be aservo control and a motion and power control block 224 that includes theQMCS 110. In an alternative implementation, the QMCS 110 may be dividedinto various components that may be located throughout the hard diskdrive 200.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram 230 of the QMCS 110 associated with the motor235. As mentioned above the QMCS 110 may be used with any type ofrotating machine, such as a motor. In some implementations, the motor235 may be either a single phase or a multi-phase motor with varyingnumbers of commutation states. For example, the motor 235 may be athree-phase, brushless DC motor with six commutation states that rotatesthe platters in a hard disk drive. In an alternative implementation, themotor 235 may be a brushed motor, another type of brushless DC motor, aninduction motor, or the like.

As shown, the diagram 230 includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 240and a controller 245. The DSP 240 may be any kind of DSP ormicrocontroller (MCU) such as TMS320C55X, MSP430, or the like. Asillustrated, this DSP may store and execute instructions, or a program241, for a power control algorithm used by the QMCS 110. This algorithmacts to maintain constant power delivered to the motor the power whichin turn reduces the torque ripple produced in the motor and helps toreduce acoustic emissions. The diagram 230 also includes a controller245 that generates interrupts for the DSP 240 to periodically initiateupdates to the power control algorithm. This controller also controlsthe timing signals for sampling and digitizing the motor phase currentsand power supply voltage and it converts the power control loops outputcommand into duty cycle based waveforms that can be applied to each ofthe 3 motor phases via the PRE DRV 252. Finally, the controller 245 maybe any kind of controller dedicated to a specific function, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), or the like. In an alternative implementation, thefunction of the DSP 240 and the controller 245 may be combined into one,such as a DSP, complex controller, or the like.

The diagram 230 also includes a few other components thatcollaboratively work with the DSP 240 and the controller 245. Apre-drive block (Pre DRV) 252 generates gate signals from digital inputcommands from the controller 245. These gate signals can switch powereddevices within the drive block (DRV) 254. This block may include powerfield effect transistors (FET) that apply voltages and deliver currentsto phases of the motor 235. The drive block 254 may also include currentsensing FETs 255 that enable measuring motor phase currents withoutin-line current sense elements. A sense block (SENSE) 256 conditionssignals from the integrated current sense FETs 255. This conditioninggenerates voltages that are suitable for conversion in the analog todigital converter block (ADC) 258. The ADC converts signals representingmotor phase currents and power supply voltage into digital values usableby the DSP 240. Finally, the phase comparator 259 monitors the motor'svoltages and identifies phase information sent to the controller 245. Inresponse, this controller may send an interrupt to the DSP 240, suchthat it can control the commutation of the motor 235.

The architecture of the QMCS 110 including the diagram 230 enablesoptimal current wave shaping that reduces acoustic emissions resultingfrom electrically induced torque ripple. Torque ripple, or any deviationfrom a nominal amount of torque, can produce distracting acoustics.Since applied voltages may serve as the cause of torque ripple, QMCS 110digitally determines the modulated voltages applied on each phase andadapts voltages in a way that compensate for distortions in the motor'swinding torque; thus, acoustic emissions are reduced.

The QMCS 110 is effective because it takes advantage of the relationshipbetween power and torque. P_(delivered) is the power delivered to themotor; P_(effective) is the effective power that produces motor torque,while P_(lost) is the power lost through heat dissipation. The followingequations highlight this relationship:

Pdelivered = Plost + Peffective Pdelivered = Vdmtr ⋅ Imtr${Pdelivered} = {{{Lmtr} \cdot {Imtr} \cdot \left( {\frac{}{t}{Imtr}} \right)} + {{Imtr}^{2} \cdot {Rmtr}} + {{Imtr} \cdot {Eg}}}$${Plost} = {{{Lmtr} \cdot {Imtr} \cdot \left( {\frac{}{t}{Imtr}} \right)} + {{Imtr}^{2} \cdot {Rmtr}}}$Peffective = Imtr ⋅ Eg Eg = Ke ⋅ ω Eg = Kt ⋅ ωPeffective = Imtr ⋅ Kt ⋅ ω Tau = Imtr ⋅ Kt Peffective = Tau ⋅ ω

In these equations, V_(dmtr)=drive voltage across the motor,I_(mtr)=current through the motor, L_(mtr)=inductance through the motor,R_(mtr)=resistance across the motor, and E_(g)=back emf voltage of themotor. Ke is the back electro-motive force constant, Kt is the torqueconstant, Tau is the motor's torque, and ω is the motor's rotationalspeed. Often, the effective power Peffective, is much greater than thelost power Plost. When that is true, one can derive the followingrelationship:

Pdelivered ≈ Tau * ω ${Tau} \cong \frac{Pdelivered}{\omega}$

The torque generated in the motor is equal to the power delivered to themotor divided by the motor's rotational speed. Hence, maintaining aconstant delivered power for a constant rotational speed means that thegenerated torque will be constant. A constant torque produces lessacoustic noise because the torque ripple is constant. The QMCS 110effectively controls the motor so constant power is delivered and torqueripple is reduced. This system produces pulse width modulated voltagesfor each motor phase. The phasing of these applied voltages ismaintained by using a control scheme that derives commutation timingfrom zero crossings for the back electromotive (BEMF) voltage. Othermethods could also be used to maintain the phasing of the appliedvoltages but it is always desirable to apply the voltages such that themotor's phase current is in phase with it's torque function (representedby it's BEMF voltage).

FIG. 3A is a block diagram 300 of a first implementation of the QMCS110. A user may request a desired power to be delivered to the motor;this requested power is denoted P_(cmd). A element 310 receives thecommanded power P_(cmd) signal and the delivered power signal, denotedP_(del). This element produces an error signal reflective of how thecommanded power P_(cmd) signal relates to the delivered power P_(del)signal. For example, the element 310 may produce the error signalP_(err) by subtracting the delivered power P_(del) signal from thecommanded power P_(cmd) signal. A compensation block 320 receives theerror signal P_(err) and produces a command voltage V_(cmd) signal. Inproducing the command voltage V_(cmd) signal, the compensation block 320compensates this power control loop in order to produce desired looptransfer characteristics, such as stability, minimum steady state error,and the like. The command voltage V_(cmd) signal enables adjustment ofthe magnitude of respective phase voltages. For example, this commandvoltage signal enables determination of how a magnitude of a first phasevoltage should vary in light of the command voltage V_(cmd) signal.

Transform blocks 330, 340, and 350 each receive the command voltageV_(cmd) signal. Each of these transform blocks transforms the commandvoltage into a voltage suitable for driving one or more phasesassociated with the motor 360. For example, the motor 360 is shown as athree phase motor, though the QMCS 110 may be used with a motor with anynumber of phases. In addition, the number of transform blocks in a givenimplementation may reflect the number of phases associated with themotor 360. For example, the QMCS 110 may include two transform blocks ifthe motor 360 has two phases.

In the implementation shown in FIG. 3A, the motor 360 has three phasesand there are three transform blocks 330, 340, and 350. Since the QMCS110 reduces acoustic emission by reducing torque ripple, this systemmaintains constant torque. To facilitate this, these transform blocksdetermine how the torque gets distributed among the three phases a, b,and c. FIG. 3B is a graphical representation of an implementation of thetransform blocks 330, 340, and 350. For example, the transform block 330produces a phase a drive voltage V_(da) signal. As illustrated, thisvoltage signal may be characterized by the following formula:V_(da)=V_(cmd)* Sin(θ). Similarly, the phase b drive, voltage V_(db)signal from the transform block 340 and the phase c drive voltage V_(dc)signal from the transform block 350 may be characterized by thefollowing formulas: V_(db)=V_(cmd)*Sin(θ+120); and V_(dc=V) _(cmd)*Sin(θ+240). Here, θ represents the angular position of the voltagesapplied to the motor. It is desirable for the applied voltages to beapplied such that the phase of the resulting currents is aligned withthe motor's torque function or bemf voltage. This is typicallycontrolled by the motor commutation control circuit.

Returning to FIG. 3A, elements may receive the drive voltage signalsfrom each transform block. For example, a element 332 and element 339both receive the phase a drive voltage signal V_(da). In theimplementation illustrated in FIG. 3A, the element 332 may be a physicalsumming node, while the element 339 may be a multiplier. The element 332transmits a summed voltage signal for phase a to the impedance element334; which may represent the motor's impedance for phase a. Thisimpedance element transmits a phase a motor current signal I_(ma) thatthe element 339 receives along with a torque transform block 336. Thetorque transform block 336 has an associated torque constant K_(ta) andtransmits a phase a torque signal T_(qa), which represents the torque inphase a. Because element 339 receives the phase a motor current signalI_(ma) and phase a drive voltage signal V_(da), the element 339 producesa phase a power signal P_(a) associated with the power in phase a. Aelement 338 has an associated phase a electromotive force (emf) constantK_(ea) and receives the motor's velocity signal ω. This element producesa phase a back emf voltage signal V_(bea). Like phase a 332-339,elements 342-349 and elements 352-359 collaboratively produce a phasetorque signal and a phase power signal for phase b and phase crespectively. For example, the elements 342-349 produce a phase b torquesignal T_(qb) and phase b power signal P_(b). Similarly, the elements352-359 produce a phase c torque signal T_(qc) and the phase c powersignal P_(c).

Element 362 and element 364 receive the phase torque signals. Morespecifically, element 364 transmits a first combined torque signal bycombining the phase b torque signal T_(qb) and the phase c torque signalT_(qc). In one implementation, the element 364 combines these signals byadding, though other implementations are possible. Similarly, theelement 362 transmits a second combined torque signal by combining thephase a torque signal T_(qa) and the phase b torque signal T_(qb). Whilethe element 362 combines these signals by adding, other implementationsare possible. This second combined torque signal may represent themotor's total torque signal T_(q). A velocity transform block 366receives the motor's total torque signal T_(q) and produces the motor'svelocity signal ω.

Finally, element 372 and element 374 receive the phase power signals.More specifically, element 374 transmits a first combined power signalby combining the phase b power signal P_(b) and the phase c power signalP_(c). In one implementation, the element 374 combines these signals byadding, though other implementations are possible. Similarly, theelement 372 transmits a second combined power signal by combining thephase a power signal P_(a) with the phase b power signal P_(b) and thephase c power signal P_(c). While the element 362 combines these signalsby adding, other implementations are possible. This second combinedpower signal may represent the motor's total delivered power signalP_(del). As mentioned above, the element 310 may determine an errorpower signal P_(err) using the difference between this delivered powersignal and a commanded power signal P_(cmd).

Using the components in the block 300, the QMCS 110 can adjust voltagesapplied to the motor's phases in light of user-requested commanded powerso that the system's power remains constant, which reduces torqueripple. FIG. 3C is a graphical representation 370 illustrating theeffectiveness of the QMCS 110. The curve 374 illustrates the motor'sback emf voltage for a single phase. It includes distortion that canresult from typical non-idealities; this distortion can create torqueripple that will produce acoustic emission, or noise. The curve 378,demonstrates how the duty cycle on a single phase is varied in the QMCSsystem. This duty cycle curve has a first region 381 that may beconsidered a ground region, a second region 383 that may be considered asloped region, and a third region 385 that may be considered a cappedregion. The current curve 372 demonstrates the motor's current thatresults when the voltage represented by 378 is applied to the phasewhose bemf is represented by 374. The curve 276 represents the totaltorque produced in the motor by combining the product of each of themotor's phase currents (370) with it's respective torque function(essentially represented by 374). It demonstrates that despite thedistortions that are present because of motor non-idealities the QMCS110 keeps the torque fairly constant without any appreciable torqueripple.

To implement the block 300 (see FIG. 3A) that produces the duty cyclecurve 378 with the desired torque characteristics, the QMCS 100 uses asystem of equations that may be implemented by a microprocessor digitalsignal processor (e.g., DSP 240), or the like. Since the motor 360 (seeFIG. 3B) is a three-phased motor, the sum of three currents associatedwith the motor's phases must be zero. More specifically,I_(a)+I_(b)+I_(c)=0, where I_(a) is the current in phase a, while I_(b)is the current in phase b, and I_(c) is the current in phase c. For thisimplementation, one of the motor's phases is held at ground, while avoltage is applied on the other two phases. The applied voltages on eachof the three phases is such that at any given time one phase will beheld at ground and the current on this phase can be represented as Igndwhile the second phase will receive a voltage relating to the duty cyclerepresented in region 383. The current on the second phase can berepresented as Islope. The third phase will receive a voltage relatingto the duty cycle as represented in region 385 and the current on thisphase can be represented as Icap. Using these facts, the current in thethird phase may be calculated as follows: I_(slope)=(I_(gnd)+I_(cap)).Hence, knowing the current in two of the phases enables calculation ofthe current in the third phase.

After determining how to acquire the current for the three phases, thedelivered power P_(del) may be calculated. The motor's delivered powerP_(del) is the sum of the power in each of the motor's phases. In otherwords, the delivered power P_(del) may be governed byP_(del)=P_(a)+P_(b)+P_(c). With this relationship established, thedelivered power P_(del) may be calculated as shown below.

P _(a)=ADC_(I) _(Cap) *ADC_(V) _(Supply) *DC_(Cap),

where ADC_(I) _(Cap) is the digital word represented by the conversionof the motor's phase whose applied voltage is represented as 385,ADC_(V) _(Supply) is the digital word represented by the conversion ofthe power supply voltage, and DC_(Cap), is the duty cycle of the appliedvoltage on the motor's phase whose applied voltage is represented by385.

P _(b)=ADC_(I) _(Gnd) *ADC_(V) _(Supply) *0,

where ADC_(I) _(Gnd) is the digital word represented by the conversionof the motor's phase whose applied voltage is held at ground.

P _(c)=(ADC_(I) _(Cap) −ADC_(I) _(Gnd) )*ADC_(V) _(Supply) *DC_(Slope),

where DC_(Slope). is the duty cycle of the applied voltage on themotor's phase whose applied voltage is represented by 383 _(—)

P _(del) =P _(a) +P _(b) +P _(c) =P _(a)+0+P _(c) =P _(a) +P _(c)

P _(del)=(ADC_(I) _(Cap) *ADC_(V) _(Supply) *DC_(Cap))+((ADC_(I) _(Cap)−ADC_(I) _(Gnd) )*ADC_(V) _(Supply) *DC_(Slope))

To determine the values for ADC_(I) _(Cap) , ADC_(V) _(Supply) ,DC_(Cap), ADC_(I) _(Gnd) , DC_(Slope), the DSP 240 or the controller 245may include a look up table that contains the duty cycle of the appliedvoltage or by performing an analog to digital conversion of the motor'sphase currents

In order to generate the duty cycle waveforms like those shown in thecurve 378 the DSP 240 executes the following equations to determine theduty cycle to be applied to the phase whose voltage is to be applied asillustrated by 383 (DCslope) as well as the duty cycle to be applied tothe phase whose voltage is to be applied as illustrated by 385 (DCcap).To facilitate that process the following equations are used:

P _(err) =P _(cmd) −P _(del)

P _(int) =P _(int) _(—) _(old) +KI*P _(err,)

where P_(int) represents the integral portion of the compensationapplied by compensation block 320 and P_(int) _(—) _(old) represents theintegral value from the previous sample and KI gain of the integral partof the compensation.

P _(cmd) =KP*P _(err) +P _(int),

where KP is the gain of the proportional part of the compensation.

DC_(cap) =P _(cmd)*Cap[PWM_(State)],

where Cap[PWM_(State)] is the value from a look up table that representsa unit version of the duty cycles that represents the torquedistribution transform as illustrated in FIG. 3B for the phase whosevoltage is to be applied as illustrated by 385DC_(Slope)=P_(cmd)*slope[PWM_(State)], where slope[PWM_(State)] is thevalue from a look up table that represents a unit version of the dutycycles that represents the torque distribution transform as illustratedin FIG. 3B for the phase whose voltage is to be applied as illustratedby 383 _(—)The Controller 245 uses the values of DCcap and DCslope to generatesignals suitable for driving the power FETs in DRV such that the dutycycles of the applied voltages on the motor phases will look like thesignal illustrated in 378.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, this figure is a block diagram of a simplifiedrepresentation of the QMCS system. It includes a simplified DC motorrepresentation of the 3 phase BLDC and illustrates the transformationfrom a requested Icmd to the resulting motor current Imtr .

FIG. 4B is a flow chart 400 illustrating blocks in a device-implementedmethod for the QMCS 110. This device-implemented method may beimplemented within software as an ordered listing of executableinstructions for implementing logical functions that can be embodied inany computer-readable medium. This medium may be for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or othersystem that can fetch the instructions from the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In thecontext of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any meansthat can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport theprogram for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, forexample, but, not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device,or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) ofthe computer-readable medium can include the following: an electricalconnection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory)(magnetic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact discread-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readablemedium can even be paper or another suitable medium upon which theprogram is printed. The program can be electronically captured, via forinstance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary,and then stored in a computer memory.

In block 452, the method determines the commanded power. Returning toFIG. 4A, this may involve identifying converting a received commandcurrent to a commanded power as done by the power converter element 410.In an alternative implementation, the commanded power may be receiveddirectly through a user interface. Another alternative implementationmay combine elements 410-414, such that determining the commanded poweralso involves digital to analog conversion and scaling.

Block 452 is followed by block 454. In this block, a power associatedwith the machine is calculated. A power associated with the machine mayinclude any one or more of the following powers: delivered power, lostpower, and effective power. Calculating a delivered power may includemeasuring currents, such as phase current, associated with the motor, orrotating machine. Some examples of these currents may be phase currents.In addition, this block may also include calculating the product ofmeasured currents and stored values for applied voltages as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2B-3C. In FIG. 4A, element 423 also determinesthe delivered power, which is a product of the voltage applied to themotor and the resulting current in the motor._(—) If block 454 involvescalculating an effective power, elements 532-563 of FIG. 5 determine theeffective power. The methods involved in calculating effective power aredescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Block 454 is followed by block 456. In this block, an error signal iscalculated. Element 416 of FIG. 4A generally involves calculating thiserror signal; similarly element 310 in FIG. 3A is associated with thiscalculation. This calculation generally involves creating an errorsignal reflective of the relationship between the power commanded andthe power delivered. In one implementation, this may be done bysubtracting the delivered power from the commanded power.

Block 456 is followed by block 458, which determines a compensatedvoltage for substantially zeroing the error signal. To accomplish,proportional and integral compensation may be used. Elements 420, 424,and 426 in FIG. 4A generally involve determining this voltage. Morespecifically, element 420 relates to proportional compensation, whilethe other elements relate to integral compensation. In an alternativeimplementation, another type of compensation such as proportional (P),proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID), lead, lag, etc. may beused. Other sections described with reference to FIGS. 2B-3C also relateto determining the compensated voltage that substantially zeros theerror signal.

In block 460, the compensated voltage is applied to the device. This maygenerally involve utilizing one or more of the predrive block 252, driveblock 254, and sense block 256 described with reference to FIG. 2B. Inaddition, elements 362-366 of FIG. 3A and elements 430-431 of FIG. 4Agenerally relate to applying the compensated voltage to the device. Whenthe device is a multi-phase motor, this may involve applying theappropriate compensated voltages to different phases of the motor.

After block 460, the decision block 462 determines whether waitingshould continue. In one implementation, a user may define a frequencyfor pulse width modulation (PWM), such that the threshold for this blockmay be related to that frequency. For example, the wait may continueuntil a PWM cycle has passed. If that has not occurred, the “yes” branchmay be followed to block 464 and the waiting continues. Otherwise, the“no” branch may be followed back to block 452 and the flow repeats.Numerous alternative implementations may occur by using any number ofconditions for the decision block 462.

Finally, the order of the blocks in the flow chart 400 is forillustrative purposes only. Some blocks may be executed in a differentorder. One or more of the blocks in the flow chart 400 may be executedin parallel. Any of these variations represent merely an alternativeimplementation to the device-implemented method for the QMCS 110.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram 500 of an alternative implementation of theQMCS 110. In this implementation, blocks 539, 549 and 559 produce theassociated phase powers instead of the multipliers described withreference to FIG. 3A. Block 539 enables determination of the effectivepower P_(a) associated with phase A as governed by the followingequation:

P _(a) =I _(ma)*(V _(da) −I _(ma) *R _(m)),

where R_(m) represents the resistance of the motor. This resistanceR_(m) may either be estimated or programmed by the user. Similarly,block 549 and block 559 enable determination of the effective powerP_(b) for phase B and the effective power P_(c) for phase C,respectively.

Finally, element 560 and element 563 receive the phase power signals.More specifically, element 563 transmits a first combined power signalby combining the phase b power signal P_(b) and the phase c power signalP_(c). In one implementation, the element 563 combines these signals byadding, though other implementations are possible. Similarly, theelement 560 transmits a second combined power signal by combining thephase a power signal P_(a) with the phase b power signal P_(b) and thephase c power signal P_(c). While the element 560 combines these signalsby adding, other implementations are possible. This second combinedpower signal may represent the motor's total effective power signalP_(eff). The element 570 may determine an error power signal P_(err)using the difference between this effective power signal and a commandedpower signal P_(cmd). Consequently, the total effective power P_(eff)may be determined instead of the total delivered power P_(del), asdescribed with reference to FIG. 3A. This implementation can be used tofurther reduce torque ripple and acoustic noise that occurs as a resultof assuming that Plost is much smaller than Peffective as is the case inthe implementation of FIG. 3A.

While various embodiments of the quiet motor control system have beendescribed, it may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatmany more embodiments and implementations are possible that are withinthe scope of this system. Although certain aspects of the quiet motorcontrol system may be described in relation to specific techniques orstructures, the teachings and principles of the present system are notlimited solely to such examples. All such modifications are intended tobe included within the scope of this disclosure and the present quietmotor control system and protected by the following claim(s).

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A device with a quiet motor control system associatedwith a motor, comprising: a processor for transmitting timing signalsfor sampling motor phase currents and motor phase voltages; and a drivercoupled for receiving the timing signal and the duty cycle signals andoperative for activating each phase of the motor, wherein the quietmotor control system determines modulated voltages applied to each phasein a manner that compensates for winding torque distortions, whichreduces acoustic emissions.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the quietmotor control system maintains constant power, which creates essentiallyconstant torque.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the timing signalsand the duty cycle signals are associated with the modulated voltages.11. The device of claim 9, wherein the quiet motor control systemmaintains a constant power by determining the difference between acommanded power signal and a delivered power signal.
 12. The device ofclaim 9, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of acomputer system, electric fan, set-top box, drill, camcorder, andnavigation system.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the convertercomprises a sense block and an analog to digital converter.
 14. Thedevice of claim 8, further comprising a phase comparator coupled to theprocessor and operative for transmitting to the processor motor updatesignals. 15-18. (canceled)